NHL Draft: Carolina Hurricanes Select Philippe Paradis With 27th Overall Pick
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 27, 2009 12:02 AM EDT
25 comments
There were several high-ranked players on the board when the Carolina Hurricanes selected 27th in the 2009 Entry Draft. But despite Drew Shore's jam, Landon Ferraro's bloodlines, Jeremy Morin's scoring acumen and Carter Ashton's size and family history, the Canes went off the board and chose Philippe Paradis, a 6-2 forward from Shawinigan of the QMJHL.
Paradis has played with the Cataractes the past two years, scoring 19 goals and 31 assists in 66 games this past season. In 2007-08, the center/wing had 11 goals and 12 assists in 45 games.
Paradis does have the size GM Jim Rutherford said he craved in this draft, and he seems to fit the mold of what Carolina wants: willling to hit, a solid offensive-zone cycler, someone who will win the small battles. He also won the Hardest Shot competition at the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Skills Competition, registering a 95.7 mph shot. But the big question is could Carolina have gotten him later, either by trading down or hoping he'd be available at No. 51, when they pick in Round 2?
At the end of the day, draft rankings aren't worth a thing, but we will point out that none of the six major prospect rankings had Paradis as high as No. 27. Central Scouting rated Paradis the highest, placing him as the No. 26 skater in North America (but we can assume he was behind quite a few of the Europeans). Bob McKenzie of TSN and Red Line Report each rated him 40th, while McKeen's had him 48th. ISS not only rated him No. 88, but also had him No. 4 on their "Overrated" list (it's worth noting Ashton was third on that list). Canes Country, like McKeen's, ranked Paradis No. 48. Marcus Johansson, chosen 24th by Washington, was also picked 21 selections earlier than the Canes Country Rank, while the Isles' trade-up-and-select choice of defenseman Calvin de Haan at No. 12 was 20 slots higher than we had him ranked.
This was also an uncharacteristic pick by Carolina. The franchise had not selected a QMJHL player higher than the third round since moving to Raleigh, and 1995 first-rounder Jean-Sebastian Giguere was the last time the organization — then the Hartford Whalers — chose a QMJHL player in Round 1.
But as they say, the draft is just step one in the careers of these players, and Paradis is a talented player that obviously caught the eye of the Hurricanes scouts.
The Canes are set to choose 51st in the second round, and I expect they will target a defenseman. Stefan Elliot, Brayden McNabb, Mac Bennett and Ryan Button could all be available. Carolina could also look to a falling forward like they did last year when first-round talent Zac Dalpe landed in their lap in Round 2. Drew Shore, Ryan O'Reilly, Morin, Ferraro and others are still all available. With their later picks, expect more size and perhaps one goaltender.
Bubba will be covering the Hurricanes' draft media event tomorrow, so keep an eye on Canes Country for news and analysis. Rounds 2-7 begin at 10 a.m. tomorrow and can be watched on the NHL Network.
More from earlier today courtesy Blueshirt Banter: Quick interview: Philippe Paradis
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I don't really know what to say.
Although I am a huge fan of the NHL, I do not pay attention to prospective draft picks. For me- there is the NHL, and the AHL. Its not like having the NFL and College football, and knowing a little bit more about the player that has been drafted.
Based upon your article Bubba, I am a definitely concerned. If you have receive any new information regarding this choice- please post- and I am sure that you will! Thanks in advance!
by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 27, 2009 12:37 AM EDT reply actions
hey PC, just to clarify, that was Cory’s article. :-)
we will be posting more info as we get it.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Sorry Bubba!!!! Thank you for correcting me- I truly appreciate everything that y’all do for the ’Canes fans on this site (which is quite a bit!)- and those that do the work should be given the credit! Great article Cory, but I am now concerned!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 27, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
quick clarification to make sure that my last sentence is not taken out of context- I am concerned about our draft pick after reading Cory’s article- it brought up a lot of great points regarding trading down and so forth- my concern lies with the ’Canes organization.
by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 27, 2009 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think there is cause for concern. The Canes have their reasons for what they do, they just don’t seem obvious at times. They must have really liked this kid and did not think he would be around at pick 51. Trading down can be risky and is not easy to do, although in this case I think it is a worthy question. Philippe was even surprised he was picked that early.
GM of CanesCountry.com
I am a complete novice (with absolutely NO knowledge) when it comes to evaluating NHL draft picks. Outside the top 1-3 prospects that I typically hear about through ESPN and similar sources- I just do not know anything about these young players.
I only hope that JR and others knew something that we didn’t in deciding to draft him this early instead of trading down.
On a different note, I have to believe that Philippe was thrilled to be drafted by the ’Canes in the first round. As a projected 51 pick, he was likely to join a team with little playoff potential in the early second round. Now, as a late first round draft pick, he is able to join a proven contender. He probably smiled because he knew he went to a fantastic city that offers a very competitive NHL team (not including the bbq!).
BTW- I hope the kid has a pair of contact lenses before he gets to the NHL! Although he seems to have a lot of teeth right now, those glassed will not make it through the first game :)
Thanks for taking the time to respond to my comment!
by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 27, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions
correction: “glasses” will not make it through the first game.
by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 27, 2009 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha...
I don’t think I saw any glasses in his game clips.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
But, in the case of trading down...
You have to remember it always takes two to tango…if nobody wanted to give anything up or felt like they needed to move up to get anybody, trading down just doesn’t work. And, all it takes for us to lose out on Paradis between 27 and 51 was one team that liked him. With him ranked as high as 40 on some lists, that’s not entirely inconceivable.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Frankly, at 27, it was going to be a crapshoot no matter who we got.
I think I’m happier we got a guy down the board 15 slots that they saw something they knew they liked in than a guy 5 slots down who was just the highest-rated consensus player that “fills a need.” Who knows on this kid? He’s very young (18 and change) and obviously has lots of time and room for growth.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 12:42 AM EDT reply actions
Another bit of analysis I didn't see in the live thread:
Paradis is a big gritty forward who should fit in as a defensive forward in the NHL, but he does have some offensive potential. He possesses a heavy, hard shot, which helped him score 19 goals in 66 QMJHL games in 2008-09. This pick comes as a bit of a surprise as Paradis wasn’t projected to be taken until the second or even early third round.
—Rotoworld
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions
And from the man himself (JR)
"He plays with an edge, He can play physical. He’s a good skater. This is the type of player we hoped would be available to us, so we’re pretty pleased with the pick."
Also, from ch.com:
…The Canes and player personal director Tony MacDonald scouted Paradis extensively this season, and had a good interview with him this week, convincing the brass he was the hard-charging forward of the future. MacDonald liked the teenager’s 96 mph slap shot, his physical play and intensity. It also should be noted that Paradis’ team Shawinigan went to the Quebec Junior League finals, losing in a Game 7, and he plays with a bit of an edge, always a positive for a bigger player.
And, from the actualman himself:
Paradis compared his style to former Hart Trophy winner Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames. I’m an intense player with good skill, good speed — a physical guy. I finish my checks," said Paradis, who was surprised to go in the first round, saying he believed he would be selected between rounds two and five.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey Procton- thanks for that post.
Procton- you posted some fantastic points!
I guess as a fan, it is fairly easy to criticize draft picks. (Even when I don’t know anything about the person that they drafted :) besides what the “experts?” say.)
JR and his staff spend a large portion of their time analyzing potential draft picks- and know quite a bit more about them than we do. Despite where Paradis was ranked in this draft by the “hockey gurus,” our organization must have seen something in him that they really liked.
JR has been a fantastic GM over the past years and has made some wonderful decisions- I hope this is yet another one of them- In JR I trust.
by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 27, 2009 1:08 AM EDT reply actions
I hope and pray that I am completely wrong and will eat my words, but I think a terrible mistake was made, and I have no idea why it was made. Maybe this was one of those things like with Bryan Rodney where Ron Francis went on a little scouting trip and happened to catch the guy score a goal or two in one game. I have no idea. I personally passed on him in the second round of a mock draft. He is definitely a player with potential, but there was no need to draft him that high. The Canes could have traded down a few spots or more and picked up some more draft picks. With players like Landon Ferraro, Zach Budish, Carl Klingberg, etc still on the board, this does not sit well in my stomach, but I can only hope that management knows something I don’t. We could have drafted someone else and still found a way to pick Paradis up in the second round if they really loved him that much.
Haha...maybe.
But Rodney’s worked out ok, right?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
hyperbole is perfectly acceptable in sports commentary (even if under the influence ;) ). Good points, and expresses what many of us are also worried about. I agree with other commnets though that you have to rely on JR and his team. But we were all surprised and therefore to have a negative reaction is pretty normal.
(Read the series of comments posted on the live thread at 10:40pm last night – nobody was celebrating)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 27, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
found a more flattering picture of Paradis
He’s got def Ruutu potential.
That’s one very cool jersey too.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
Oh, wow...
Cutie.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
;D
Actually, I meant compared to the awkward pose above with closed eyes and the glasses, this photo actually looks like a hockey player who might deserve our 1st round pick…..(hence the Ruutu analogy)
And yes, I agree with you Michael, 100%, he is not so bad looking. I actually hadn’t noticed till you pointed it out. Your observational skills continue to astound.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 27, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
He looks a bit like Chris Klein, no?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Any one else see a resemblance?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 27, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad I'm not the only one.
an earlier pic
1981 – at age 18, drafted 4th overall.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 27, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
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